Monsignor José Rodríguez Carballo, O.F.M., Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, has ordained priests to 37 Legionaries of Christ at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. More than 2000 people attended the ceremony, including family members, friends, seminarians, and formators.
Monsignor José stated that “the priest, more than anyone else, must consider himself a man of the people and for the people. Neither the lifestyle nor the language used in evangelization can separate him from the people from whom he has been taken and to whom he belongs, not only by his origin but also by the special vocation he has received.” He also invited the ordinands to never forget that they are “called to serve. The Church needs serving priests, deacon priests, religious priests who always remain in the humble attitude of service. Remember that, just as Jeremiah was told by the Lord today: ‘I am with you,’ do not be afraid. Constantly remembering all this will help you to be a good Christian, a good religious, and a good priest.”
He repeatedly emphasized the phrase “Give them something to eat” because “the priest is called to give himself and to give the treasure that fills his life with meaning: Jesus Christ. ‘Give them something to eat.’ For that, you will be anointed by the Spirit.”
The rector of the International Legionaries of Christ College in Rome, Fr. Christopher Brackett, LC, affirmed that this celebration “is something we truly experience and live as a family. The most beautiful thing for me is to see how their fellow Legionaries and seminarian brothers, with whom they have shared many years, live it. There is genuine happiness, a deep human and spiritual celebration of their priesthood,” and he continues referring to the formators: “It marks all of us who have accompanied them throughout their formation. We feel that we are part of this mystery, this gift, so to speak, this miracle, because we have seen the great things the Lord has done in him, being poor and weak. Now it will be the very presence of Christ. It’s hard to explain with words. How great is God’s mercy!”
Father Ignacio Sarre, LC, who until last year (2018) served as rector of the theology community at the general headquarters, comments: “It is a source of immense joy. They entered when the congregation was going through very difficult times, but they believed in God’s call and that the work is His. Those of us who have known them closely have witnessed their struggle, their love, how they are contributing blood and new life to the congregation at this beautiful moment of renewal. It is fulfilling and hopeful to know that they will now serve many with what they have received and experienced through Regnum Christi.”
Father Eduardo Robles-Gil, LC, general director of the Legionaries of Christ, comments on this: “Priestly ordinations are always very emotional, especially for immediate family members. The Legion of Christ is also a family, and the birth of new priests is a great joy and hope. It is also a sign that God continues to trust in the Legion and in Regnum Christi, asking us to help His Kingdom be present in people’s hearts and in society. It is a privilege and a great responsibility. For me, as general director, it is very consoling to see religious men I have known for many years reach this moment. I congratulate them and their families and pray that the graces of this day extend throughout their priestly ministry.”
Alongside Monsignor José Rodríguez Carballo, O.F.M., the bishops Jorge Patrón Wong, secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, and in charge of seminaries; Robert Fisher, auxiliary bishop of Detroit and family member of one of the newly ordained priests; and José Alejandro Castaño, bishop of Cartago in Colombia, concelebrated the Eucharist with 240 priests.
The stories of the new priests can be read on the website of the priestly ordinations.
You can listen to or read the homily of Monsignor José Rodríguez Carballo, O.F.M., at these links: Audio and text.
Names and places of origin of the 37 Legionaries of Christ ordained priests on May 4 in Rome.
Jefferson Bartipaia (Brazil)
Massimo Merlino (Italy)
James Cleary (New Zealand)
Leonardo Rojas (Venezuela)
Gabriel Wendt (Germany)
Mariano Ballestrem (Germany)
Raphael Ballestrem (Germany)
Lucas Délano (Chile)
Javier Ayala (Chile)
Juan Pablo Álamos (Chile)
Óscar Gamboa (Colombia)
Óscar Ángel (Colombia)
Wilmar Soto (Colombia)
Víctor Hugo Jiménez (Colombia)
Juan Fernando Alzate (Colombia)
John Camilo Chaverra (Colombia)
Julián Danilo Serna (Colombia)
Alejandro Espejo (Mexico)
Manuel Díez (Mexico)
Jesús Salinas (Mexico)
Javier Flores (Mexico)
Ignacio Bello (Mexico)
Francisco Cerrilla (Mexico)
Edgar Pulido (Mexico)
Salvador Escoto (Mexico)
José Muñoz (Mexico)
Terrance Allen (United States)
Justin Prigge (United States)
John Studer (United States)
Jared Loehr (United States)
Athan Torrey (United States)
Eric Gilhooly (United States)
Nathan Wayne (United States)
Patrick O’Loughlin (United States)
Jerek Scherber (United States)
Christopher Vogel (United States)
Samuel Tan (United States)
